Albania Mission AgainstHuman Trafficking

MARY WARD LORETO is planting hope with a human rights approach to combating modern day slavery. This challenging mission is implemented through works of justice, education, grass roots action and systemic change. The aim is to eradicate poverty, the prime cause for human trafficking.

The event organized from Mary Ward Loreto Foundation in Albania“Mary Ward’s Hope for Women”“Women in time to come, will do much…”

With more than 4 years of experience working in rural and isolated areas of Albania, Mary Ward Loreto Foundation is implementing The MWL Women Project, enabling the social and economic empowerment of women and girls. The project is implemented in 6 regions in Albania and helps women to get the necessary resources, rights and opportunities to ensure their escape from vulnerability, in its aim to prevent the risk against trafficking in persons. The documentary, together with an exhibition of Women’s handmade crafts and souvenir, was available to the public on Tuesday, March 28th 2017, from 09.30 – 13.00, at Tirana International Hotel, in an event that MWL has prepared on behalf of its Women’s Project, for celebrating the women in Albania. The struggles, efforts and results of the work undertaken by these women to get out of their vulnerable situation, are remarkable. In their efforts to escape their poor status, women make continuously, handmade crafts and souvenirs, with the hope to make some profit. MWL has made an appealing documentary to tell their story; the story of 4 incredibly courageous women who are making the change and is a model for their friends to follow. The event’s programme was outlined in a way that provided the participants with a holistic experience leaving a lasting impact. It was impressive to hear this side of the Albanian women’s story from the disadvantaged areas and their efforts to become empowered. They spoke about their concerns, their gratitude for the support given to them, and their hopes and wishes for the future. They expressed these changes whilst trembling with emotion. It was very
inspiring.

“We need you to stay and live among us, to be there and to hear our voice, to help us, support us and to see among us the change happening every day. We believe that we are on the right path to our empowerment and we are aware that the obstacles are challenging. We remain in hope that we can serve as good models for other women of our community and especially of our daughters; not only for our successes but also for our history and those rights that were taken from us. We haven’t had the possibility of education, because we’ve been forced to get married at a young age. Our daughters deserve a different future, a better and a dignifying one.”– said one of the women of the village in Hot I Ri.

Listening to these wonderful women, I couldn’t but think of Mary Ward’s saying:“In time to come women will do much”.
The future is uncertain for everyone; especially in Albania, but “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” said Eleanor Roosevelt.